SQA and SQC in CMMI Validation (VAL)

Validation confirms that the product, as provided, will fulfill its intended use. In other words, validation ensures that “you built the right thing.” As with Verification, Validation is mainly the domain of SQC. The term Acceptance Test could also apply to Validation, in most cases the Acceptance test is carried out by a different group of people from the SQC team that performed Verification, as the product was being built. In the case where an application is going to be used internally, then the end user or business representative would perform the Acceptance testing. Wherever this is done it is in essence a SQC activity. As with Verification, SQA makes sure that these processes conform to standards and documented procedures. The Validation process itself is subject to continuous improvement and measurement.